Baseball batter protective gear

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a system for protecting a person that is batting during a baseball game or a softball game. The primary piece in this protective invention is vest portion that protects the batter&#39;s torso. This vest device fits over the side of the batter that is facing the pitcher. The vest device further comprises straps that extend around the portion of the batter&#39;s torso that is not facing away from the pitcher. These straps are secured to the vest and provide the means to secure the vest to the batter&#39;s torso (chest and abdomen sections). This invention can also contain a section that protects the batter&#39;s arm that is facing the pitcher and the leg section that protects the batter&#39;s leg that is facing the pitcher. Each section contains padding to further the batter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from provisional patent application No. 60/490,138 filed on Jul. 26, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the protection of a batter during a baseball or softball game and in particular to a system of protective gear devices that the batter can wear to protect the batter against being hit by a pitch during the batting sequence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball is a game in which players attempt to hit a ball thrown by a pitcher. The pitcher is approximately 35 to 60 feet from the batter. Depending on the size and age of the players, the pitched baseball can travel at speeds of over 100 miles per at the professional baseball level. This speed is substantial and a ball traveling at this speed can severely injure a batter struck by that ball. However, for small children beginning their baseball career, the ball traveling at a substantially slower speed can be as equally harmful to that child.

In baseball, every player and the umpires are vulnerable to being hit by thrown or hit baseballs. Currently, the catchers and umpires have protected gear to protect their bodies against being hit by these baseballs. Batters also currently wear a protective headgear to protect the batter's head while batting. However, the batter has no protection for the rest of the body. The catcher and the umpire have equipment to protect their head, face, chest and legs against pitched or hit baseballs. The batter only has protection for the head. Their remains a need for protective gear to protect the batter from baseballs thrown by a pitcher during a batting sequence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a protective device that a batter can wear to protect the batter's torso during batting.

It is a second objective of the present invention to provide a protective device that a batter can wear to protect the batter's arm that is facing the pitcher during a batting experience.

It is a third objective of the present invention to provide a protective device that a batter can wear to protect the batter's leg that is facing the pitcher during a batting experience.

It is a fourth objective of the present invention to provide a protective system that a batter can wear to protect the batter's side that is facing the pitcher during a batting experience.

The present invention comprises a system for protecting a person that is batting during a baseball game or a softball game. The primary piece in this protective invention is vest portion that protects the batter's torso. This vest device fits over the side of the batter that is facing the pitcher. The vest device further comprises straps that extend around the portion of the batter's torso that is not facing away from the pitcher. These straps are secured to the vest and provide the means to secure the vest to the batter's torso (chest and abdomen sections). This section also contains an opening through which the batter can extend his/her arm.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises, an arm section attaches to the vest section of the present invention. The arm section fits over the outer portion of the batter's arm. The arm section has a means to attach to the vest section. The arm section also has straps that extend from one end of the arm section and around the arm. These straps attach to the arm at the other end of the arm to secure the arm section to the batter's arm.

Another embodiment of the present invention further comprises a leg section. The leg section fits over the outer portion of the batter's leg. The leg section has a means to attach to the arm or section. This leg section can also stand alone with attachment to another other piece. The leg section also has straps that extend from one edge of the leg section and around the leg. These straps attach to the leg section at the other edge of the leg to secure the leg section around the batter's leg.

The pieces of the present invention can all be worn as a system to protect the batter's torso, arm and leg. In addition, these pieces can be worn in different combinations as desired by a batter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the baseball batter protective gear that a batter wears to protect the batter's torso.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustration of the torso section of the present invention on the batter.

FIG. 3 is a back view illustration of the torso section of the present invention on the batter.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustration of the torso section of the present invention on the batter.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the baseball batter protective gear that a batter wears to protect the batter's arm.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the baseball batter protective gear that a batter wears to protect the batter's leg.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of all of the pieces in the system of the present invention that protects the side of the batter facing the pitcher during a term at bat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system for protecting the batter from pitches during a baseball game. The present invention comprises three primary pieces. FIG. 1 displays the vest 10 fits over and covers the side of the batter facing the pitcher. This concept is similar to the rationale for the batting helmet that has an earflap cover only the ear of the batter facing the pitcher. The vest has straps or belts 11 that wrap around the batter and secure the vest to the batter. Several known securing means can be used to secure the straps such as an adhesive material or a belt buckle. This vest has flaps 12 at the upper and lower of the vest. These flaps also contain an adhesive means that is used to secure or attach the arm section and/or leg section to the vest section. The also has an opening 13 through which the person would extend his or her arm.

FIG. 2 shows the front view of the vest section 10 on the batter. As shown the vest protects the batter's chest section facing the pitcher. The straps 11 secure the vest to the batter. The straps can be elastic which can provide more flexibility in adjusting the vest. The straps are affixed to the vest with the securing means 14 to secure the straps to the vest.

FIG. 3 shows the back view of the vest on the batter. As shown, the vest covers the side of the batter's back facing the pitcher. The straps extend around the back and connect to the securing means for the straps.

FIG. 4 illustrates the arm section covers the arm and shoulder of the batter that are facing the pitcher. The arm section has a main section 40 similar to the vest section 10. This arm section 40 has straps or belts 41 the wrap around the arm and secures the protected arm section to the person's arm with securing means 42. The arm section also contains a means 43 to secure that arm section to the vest section 10. FIG. 5 illustrates the leg section 50 that covers the side of leg facing the pitcher. The leg section could also have straps 51 used to secure the theses sections to the batter with securing means 52. The leg section also has a means 53 to attach the leg section to the vest section 40.

Each section of the present invention, the vest 10, the section 40 and the leg section 40 can be made of a cloth type material and can contain various cushion materials. A main cushion material option could be foam. The material should be lightweight to enable to batter to move without any hindrances from the protective device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the vest section 10 is attached to the leg section 50. As shown, the attachment means for both sections are engaged to secure the sections to each other and provide more protection for the batter. The straps for both sections secure that section to the appropriate part of the batter's body.

FIG. 7 shows the components of the present invention on the batter. The vest section 10 covers the chest of the batter. The arm section 40 covers the batter's arm and is attached to the vest section. The arm section 50 covers the batter's leg and attaches to the vest section of the batter. In the present invention, the batter can wear any section of the present separately or with another section of the invention. Primarily, the batter would wear the vest and attach the other sections as desired.

In addition, the cushion material can vary. In another embodiment, the invention could be comprised of a harder external material that covers a softer cushion material that could be against the body of the batter.

The system of this invention provides significant advantages over the current art. The invention has been described in connection with its preferred embodiments. However, it is not limited thereto. Changes, variations and modifications to the basic design may be made without departing from the inventive concepts in this invention. In addition, these changes, variations and modifications would be obvious to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the foregoing teachings. All such changes, variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of this invention. 

1. An apparatus for protecting a batter during a batting session comprising: a vest that covers the portion of the batter's torso that is facing the pitcher, said vest having an opening through which the batter extends the arm facing the pitcher; at least one strap that extends from the vest and around the batter's torso, the strap having an engaging end; and a connecting means to connect the engaging end of the strap to the vest and thereby securing the vest to the batter.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said one comprises an elastic material.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said vest further comprising a cushion material within said vest to absorb the impact of any balls that strike the batter.
 4. A system for protecting a batter during a batting session comprising: a vest that covers the portion of the batter's torso that is facing the pitcher, said vest having an opening through which the batter extends the arm facing the pitcher; at least one strap that extends from the vest and around the batter's torso, the strap having an engaging end; a connecting means to connect the engaging end of the strap to the vest and thereby securing the vest to the batter; and an arm section for protecting to the batter's arm, said arm section for protecting the portion of the batter's arm facing the pitcher.
 5. The system as described in claim 4 wherein said arm portion further comprises at least one strap that extends from the arm section and around the batter's arm, the strap having an engaging end; and a connecting means to connect the engaging end of the strap to the arm section and thereby securing the arm section to the batter's arm.
 6. The system as described in claim 5 wherein said arm section further comprises cushion material within said vest to absorb the impact of any balls that strike the batter.
 7. The system as described in claim 5 wherein said vest and said arm section contain engagement flaps that extend from each of said vest and arm section, said flaps engage to attach said arm section to said vest on the batter.
 8. A system for protecting a batter during a batting session comprising: a vest that covers the portion of the batter's torso that is facing the pitcher, said vest having an opening through which the batter extends the arm facing the pitcher; at least one strap that extends from the vest and around the batter's torso, the strap having an engaging end; a connecting means to connect the engaging end of the strap to the vest and thereby securing the vest to the batter; and a leg section for protecting to the batter's leg, said leg section for protecting the portion of the batter's leg facing the pitcher.
 9. The system as described in claim 8 wherein said arm portion further comprises at least one strap that extends from the leg section and around the batter's leg, the strap having an engaging end; and a connecting means to connect the engaging end of the strap to the leg section and thereby securing the arm section to the batter's arm.
 10. The system as described in claim 9 wherein said leg section further comprises cushion material within said vest to absorb the impact of any balls that strike the batter.
 11. The system as described in claim 9 wherein said vest and said leg section contain engagement flaps that extend from each of said vest and leg section, said flaps engage to attach said leg section to said vest on the batter.
 12. The system as described in claim 11 wherein said arm portion further comprises at least one strap that extends from the arm section and around the batter's arm, the strap having an engaging end; and a connecting means to connect the engaging end of the strap to the arm section and thereby securing the arm section to the batter's arm.
 13. The system as described in claim 12 wherein said arm section further comprises cushion material within said vest to absorb the impact of any balls that strike the batter.
 14. The system as described in claim 12 wherein said vest and said arm section contain engagement flaps that extend from each of said vest and arm section, said flaps engage to attach said arm section to said vest on the batter. 